Out this week (04/09/2009)

There's nothing really jumping out at me this week, however that said it's an interesting set of films. There's a massive sci-fi piece (commenting on racism and segregation as well), quirky rom-com counter programming, Australian horror, Polish coming of age film, 2 World War I films - from opposing sides, a Bollywood film and one about London's rent boys using non-professional actors. I'm tempted to recommend the later - but I'm afraid I might recognise someone so the film of the week is District 9



District 9

A superb marketing vcampaign that began at last years comic-con with no "Non-Human" signs popping up all over the place. Luckily the film seems to stand up to buzz, with it's normalisation of alien settlers and powerful message about racial intolerance it should shake up the ET on earth sub genre for years.

Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○



(500) Days of Summer

Quirky romantic comedy about a boy (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) reliving the 500 blissful days of his relationship with Summer (Zooey Deschanel). The films non-linear structure and willingness to make it clear it's his point of view have won it many fans.

Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○

Greek Pete

Winner of the Award for Artistic Achievement at the L.A. Outfest this is a fly on the wall film about a London Rent boy who has high hopes of reaching the very pinnacle of his profession. Much of the drama is dictated by the experiences of the cast involved with the sex trade.

Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○

Passchendaele

Canadian film that opened the Toronto Film festival in 2008 finally makes it to the UK cinemas. Charting the lives of a group of soldiers sent to fight in the trenches before and after the First World War, based on a true story recounted to the director.

Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○

Red Baron

History is, as we all know, writen by the victors. However the Germans are rightly proud of "Red" Baron von Richthofen, the First World War pilot who ruled the skies. Matthias Schweighöfer (Valkyrie) plays the aeronautic expert.

Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○

Tricks

Andrzej Jakimowski's sophomore feature scored havily at the Polish Film Awards, including the audience pick as best film. It's easy to see why with this story of a 10 year old trying to match make his mother and the man he believes abandoned her years ago finding peotry and easy charm in every situation.

Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○

Last week I inexplicable missed:

Daddy Cool

You'd be forgiven for imagining this was the ground breaking Boney M biopic you've all been waiting for. Unfortunately it's a Bollywood film that, from the synopsis, appears to be a rip off of Death at a Funeral. Only with laughs.

Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○